I'm ALWAYS tired!!! How can I feel more awake?

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I'm constantly tired. People say do exercise, well I do walk about 7 miles a day (I don't drive so that's not optional for me). I sleep 8 hours at night. I've got 2 DC aged 4 & 2. One is at school and I'm with the other all the time. I'm on my own with the kids, no family support here and DH is away with work as he's in the military. I eat (fairly) well. I've had recent blood tests and I'm perfectly healthy. I'm just so tired all the time and I'm struggling to enjoy things because I'm just so exhausted. Any suggestions as to how I can make myself feel more awake? Thanks.

I feel the same.
One thing I heard helps is drinking more water. I do find that if I have a bottle of water by the time I get to work I feel better but actually doing that is another matter.
Hope someone will be along with better advice.

Same, DC ages 5 and 2 and also have the little one with me all day. I work from home too, but have a bit of family help at times.
Hoping someone has some suggestions. I’m dying in my feet by 2pm most days.

I've been taking magnesium which helps me sleep and I do seem to have a bit more energy during the day. Get your Vitamin D levels checked - a low level makes you feel exhausted and draggy. Mine was

I’m currently reading Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson - has lots of tips for getting better sleep - not sure yet if they’ll work but there’s plenty to try!

I would say you basically just need to wait a year though - I had a 2yo and a 4yo once and it was exhausting! (Now I have a 2yo, a 6yo and an 8yo and I am slightly less exhausted - I think the big two getting to 5 and 3 was the turning point).

Make sure you are hydrated.

Practice good sleep hygiene (I HATE that phrase, but the principle is there).

Go to bed earlier. I need 9 or more hours to feel well rested, the 8 hours a night thing is a myth and dependent on your personal circumstances and sleep cycles.

Do you snore?

And what's your diet like?

B vitamins are your friend.

Drinking more water definitely makes a huge difference for me. I try to drink 2 litres over the day. When I do this I have more energy.

It might be worth asking for a print out of your blood results. I never accept 'they're ok' from my GP anymore. With my HB count if I am sitting between mid and low range by NHS guidelines for 'normal' then I am knackered and need to take an iron supplement. I have be right at the top of their lab range to function normally.
Not everywhere will test for Vit D deficiency now unless you present with severe clinical indications. Mine wouldn't so I bought an online test and that came back ok, but at the low end. From Sept onwards I take a daily dose of DLux spray. The last two winters have been much better for me since doing this.

You have my sympathy though, I seem to have cyclical fatigue like this the GP can never offer any answers. I've had my thyroid tested etc and all comes back normal.

Drink more water.

Sleep
Exercise
Diet
Hydration
Doing something ‘for you’ can be refreshing

Or just accept that having small children is tiring!!!

I remember complaining to the doctor that I was tired and he just said ‘well you have two young children’! Helpful!

Agree on vitamin D, B vitamins can help with tiredness. Lots of water, fresh air.

I think it’s mentally and physically exhausting being with a 2 year old the whole time. You do need some time for yourself. Any cheap Creche type things near you? Even for a couple of hours.

With no help from your husband you are carrying the family load and that is plain exhausting.